With only 595 yards and five
scores, Schroeder's output with Detroit was almost half
of that the previous season with the Packers. He missed
time with a torn tendon but was not delighting his new
employer when he was healthy anyway. It was a lost season
for the Lions in 2001 when they struggled through Harrington's
first season and their prized acquisition Hakim left the
field on a stretcher in week 11. This season things should
improve under Mariucci and Schroeder will be providing
possession catches with less pressure than last season.
Schroeder will never be the star in Detroit, but it is
still too early to write him off as a bust. By the same
token, Schroeder's age spells a big concern and an obvious
limit to his upside.

52

Patten, David

NE

10

5-10

190

28

6

Minimum

Patten turned in a career
best 824 yards and five scores last season but he has
likely reached his upper limit after six seasons and three
teams. In the first half of 2002, Patten posted nice numbers
with two 100 yard games and three of his scores. The Patriots
were a hot passing team with Brady at the helm in the
early going and then cooled down sharply last year - so
did Patten's numbers. In the final eight games, Patten
only averaged 35 yards a game and scored only twice. With
a diverse passing scheme in New England, Patten will not
receive enough passes to improve what is an average receiver
at best.

53

Smith, Steve

CAR

3

5-9

179

24

2

Minimum

All things considered, Smith
was a nice surprise last season when he gained 872 yards
and three scores. He also returned kicks and in his spare
time assaulted teammates in the film room. Tough guy for
only 5'9" and 179 pounds. With Isaac Byrd out injured,
Smith stepped up and made the most of the opportunity
last year, notching two 100 yards games and six with at
least 70 yards. Smith plays a lot bigger than he is and
while the Panthers attempted to replace him with Dyson,
that plan failed. Smith will enter training camp as the
favorite for the #2 spot but in the best case scenario
will be limited in scoring touchdowns from the conservative
offense.

54

Morton, Johnnie

KC

9

6-0

190

31

9

Minimum

One of the biggest disappointments
from free agency last year, Morton left on top in Detroit
with 1154 yards and in his first season with the Chiefs,
only had 29 catches for 397 yards and one score. Any player
new to his team should always be considered as an extra
risk. Morton was hampered by back spasms but as the primary
receiver, Morton should have been able to put together
more than one game over 60 yards. The receiver situation
in Kansas City with Morton, Kennison, Hall and Boerigter
will be determined this summer and Morton needs a good
camp to show he belongs. After playing for nine seasons,
maybe the 31 year old dog cannot learn new tricks Raised
56th to 53rd (07/28/03). - Morton has been moved back
to his Split End position like he played for eight seasons
in Detroit instead of the Flanker position he tried to
learn last season.

55

Moss, Santana

NYJ

5

5-10

185

24

2

Minimum

The first rounder from 2001
finally cracked the starting lineup last season and managed
433 yards and four scores. Moss had one 100 yard game
but half of his games were under 20 yards. Moss was a
playmaker at Miami but so far has been a disappointment.
Most consider Moss to be to small for the pro game and
indications are that he will never be much more than a
slot receiver. He has some upside from a young, capable
passer in Pennington and only aging Chrebet and Conway
in front of him but so far he has not shown the total
package needed to become an everydown player. He will
turn in some nice games but sandwich those between yawners.

56

Hilliard, Ike

NYG

4

5-11

205

27

6

Minimum

Hilliard only played seven
games last season thanks to Brian Dawkin's crushing shoulder
hit. He ended with 386 yards and two scores. He was on
a pace for 880 yards and five scores which would have
been about average for him. Hilliard has never delivered
on his promise when he was selected as the first receiver
taken in the 1997 draft and he has never managed a 1000
yard season in six years. But he is always good enough
to keep and plays a decent Tonto to Toomer's Lone Ranger.
Not much upside but a guy that can "get you something".

57

Bennett, Drew

TEN

9

6-5

203

24

2

Minimum

With the loss of Kevin Dyson
to Carolina (who then lost him too), the Titans will be
using the summer to decide between Bennett and Justin
McCareins to fill in for the #2 spot across from Mason.
Bennett is the front runner and at 6'5", makes a
tremendous "McCaffrey-esque" target over the
middle. It is not likely that Bennett will ever be more
than a #2 receiver but could pull down at least average
numbers this season.

58

Johnson, Bryant

ARZ

7

6-2

214

22

R

Minimum

The Cardinals began their
receiver makeover this year by selecting Johnson with
the 1.17 pick. Johnson has great size, flypaper hands
and has been clocked with a sub 4.4/40. He has an excellent
shot at being the #1 receiver in Arizona this season but
considering the inexperience with all receivers and the
new quarterback of Jeff Blake, temper your expectations
of all Arizona players this season.

59

Thompson, Derrius

MIA

4

6-2

216

25

3

Minimum

After spending his first season
on the Redskins' practice squad getting cut and re-added,
Thompson managed to make the team in 2002 and caught three
passes. In 2003, during the season of receiver discontent
by Spurrier, Thompson played every game and became the
starting #2 in week 13. He gained at least 70 yards a
game in the final five games and scored three times. Spurrier
was so impressed that he cut him for the Dolphins to hire.
Thompson has good size and is still young, but he has
not shown much more than an just an average possession
role and in Miami, that is not much. He will also have
to contend with McKnight and recently re-signed Gadsden
for playing time. His best quality right now is that we
do not know for sure that he will do little in Miami.

60

Hakim, Az-Zahir

DET

6

5-10

189

26

5

Minimum

Hakim was having a problem
last season settling down into a starting role since he
had spent his career in St. Louis as the #3 receiver.
He had three games of 97 or more yards including a fine
143 yard effort in Green Bay but he was carted from the
field in week 11 with a fractured left hip and was lost
for the season. With the drafting of Charles Rogers, the
plan is to move Hakim back to his more familiar role in
the slot and make use of his downfield speed. He was miscast
as a #1 receiver and will turn in good, though inconsistent,
games back where he plays best.

61

Dwight, Tim

SD

6

5-9

180

27

5

Minimum

Dwight had a career year for
catches with 50 last season but only scored three times
all season and ended with 623 yards. That likely is the
upper end of what you can expect and with Boston now on
board, Dwight will struggle to reach that much. He is
always a threat for the touchdown bomb, but never provides
the consistency to make him a reliable fantasy player.

62

Jacobs, Taylor

WAS

8

6-0

205

22

R

Minimum

Washington spent their 2.12
pick this year to take Jacobs and reunite him with his
old college coach. Jacobs is already considered a very
polished receiver with great hands that already has been
a great route runner in Spurrier's offense. He wowed the
coaching staff in mini-camp and is already slated to play
in the slot this season. Great upside and Coles, Gardner
and Jacobs could join to make a deadly receiving trio.
For a third receiver the normal response is that there
are not enough ball. In Washington, there just might be.

63

Randle El, Antwaan

PIT

7

5-10

184

23

1

Minimum

Yet another converted quarterback
catching passes for Pittsburgh, Randle El managed 489
yards and two scores in his rookie year and gave glimpses
of his uncanny openfield running. Antwaan is already publicly
calling for more action in 2003 and while he should see
a bump to his numbers, he is the #3 receiving option on
a team that has potentially the best one-two punch already.
Randle El can get you extra fantasy points if you can
count punt returns, but his impact will be limited with
Burress and Ward in front of him.

64

Jurevicius, Joe

TB

4

6-5

230

28

5

Minimum

Like McCardell, Jurevicius
went to Tampa Bay last season and battled various knee
and ankle injuries most of the season. He ended with 423
yards and four touchdowns. Playing often at less than
100%, it is hard to evaluate his performance but he did
have a 100 yard game in week 14 and three scores in the
final five weeks adding another in the Divisional round
against SF. Against PHI, Joe had only one catch but it
went for 71 yards. Jurevicius will never be a big yardage
player but at 6'5", he makes a tremendous red zone
target for a team that is lacking the runners to punch
it in. Look for Joe to improve on 2001, but likely not
enough to warrant drafting.

65

McCaffrey, Ed

DEN

10

6-5

215

34

12

Minimum

Easy Ed joins Rod Smith in
pushing the age envelope farther than most have managed,
After missing almost the entire 2001 season with a broken
leg, McCaffrey returned in 2002 and turned in a respectable
903 yards but only scored twice. He was wildly inconsistent
with four games of 100+ and eight games of less than 36
yards. His age, durability and new quarterback all spell
more risk than before and the emergence of Lelie is more
likely than McCaffrey returning to his glory of three
or more years ago. McCaffrey underwent groin surgery in
March and missed mini-camps but is expected to be ready
for training camp.

66

Branch, Deion

NE

10

5-9

193

23

1

Minimum

Along with the other Patriot
receivers of last year, Branch started out strongly with
370 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games.
The Patriot braintrust looked like geniuses for drafting
him. Then things got worse. In his final seven games,
Branch only had a total of 11 catches for 119 yards and
no scores. Branch is too small for everydown duty and
at best will develop into a #3 or #4 option.

67

Bryant, Antonio

DAL

3

6-1

192

22

1

Minimum

Bryant turned in a solid rookie
season, scoring in six different games and with 733 yards,
providing as much or more than Rocket Ismail would have
done if he stayed healthy. His numbers were propped up
with the seven catch, 170 yard game in Washington during
week 17 and he rarely had more than three catches a game.
Bryant developed very well for a rookie but is now limited
by a change in offense and the addition of Terry Glenn
during the offseason. Training camp will provide more
answers on the individual roles, but going in Bryant still
stands as the #2.

68

Boerigter, Marc

KC

9

6-3

223

25

1

Minimum

Players like Boerigter are
what makes the NFL and fantasy football fun and exciting.
Sometimes, you just never know. Marc has two scores in
week six but then was not used again until week ten when
he had two catches for 42 yards. The next week it was
just one catch for 12 yards. Then in the course of the
next three games, he had a total of four passes and scored
on every one. Thinking that this undrafted rookie kid
might have something, he received five passes the next
week and gained 144 yards and scored twice, effectively
winning the game with a 99 yard touchdown. He did nothing
in the final week but by then everyone was already out
of breath. That made 20 catches for the year and eight
touchdowns with a 21 yard average per catch. This summer
will investigate if Boerigter was a delightful - but unsustainable
- gimmick last season or if he has what it takes to dislodge
Morton. He is very likely to rise in the rankings and
considerably if he snags a starting role.

69

Brown, Tim

OAK

8

6-0

195

36

15

Minimum

Holding up well
through the 2001 season, Brown finally stumbled last season.
He may never get back up again. Though he had 81 catches
for 930 yards, he only scored twice all season and never
again after week three. He turned in only one 100+ yard
game and had the lowest yards per catch (11.5) of his
career. With Rice still around and Porter taking over
his spot, Brown will still be in the picture, he just
won't be the one spiking the ball.

70

Jenkins, Martay

ATL

8

6-0

206

28

4

Minimum

When the receiver train left
the Arizona station, Jenkins wisely joined Boston and
Sanders. Jenkins had his third year cut short with a broken
shoulder in week eight but has shown flashes of ability
in limited play in Arizona. Jenkins signed a one year
contract, so he must perform this season to get that 2004
paycheck. Jenkins should serve as a #3 for the Falcons
but may challenge for a bigger role.

71

Northcutt, Dennis

CLE

9

5-11

175

25

3

Minimum

During the summer of 2002,
Northcutt was constantly impressing coaches and teammates
with his ability to make long plays and apparent inability
to ever drop a pass. Northcutt is smaller than ideal for
a receiver but is fast and a playmaker when he gets the
chance. Dennis sprained his MCL in week 12 last year and
only returned for one catch in the final game. He produced
601 yards in roughly nine games but was used inconsistently
in the year. One notable is that Northcutt had five touchdowns
last season and three of them came in the two games with
Holcomb. In week five, Northcutt had eight catches for
185 yards and two scores and in week one, he had one catch
for a 43 yard touchdown - all from Holcomb. Northcutt
is a battler but his size makes it less likely that he
will rise to being an everydown #2. He makes a much better
longballer on multiple receiver sets which makes him too
inconsistent to be a good fantasy player for now. Lowered
61st to 71st (07/28/03) - Northcutt is still waiting
for a contract extension since he is due to be a free
agent next season. He stated that he felt the Browns would
not extend his contract and allow him to leave. With the
improved play of Andre Davis in training camp and the
contract squabble, he falls due to increased risk.

72

Walker, Javon

GB

8

6-3

215

24

1

Minimum

Walker played in almost every
game last season, the problem was that he rarely had more
than one reception. Ending with 319 yards and one score,
Walker's limited play prevented the rookie from developing
into NFL form but will again get a shot this season as
Terry Glenn has left and he will battle with Ferguson
for the #2 spot. Training camp watch.

73

Caldwell, Reche

SD

6

5-11

194

24

1

Minimum

The three touchdowns Caldwell
scored in five weeks last season were encouraging, but
Caldwell spent most of his rookie season with only one
or two catches a game. He is still developing and with
a great training camp could move up. Playing for a team
that doesn't prefer to throw and most often does not have
the need limits what upside he might have had. Update
(08/11/03) - Caldwell takes a jump up based on looking
better in his second season. He may develop more next
season, but shouldat least be more heavily used this year.

74

McCareins, Justin

TEN

9

6-2

218

24

2

Minimum

in 2002, McCareins and Bennett
traded time trying to fill in for the oft-injured Kevin
Dyson and while McCareins played in eleven games last
year, he rarely had more than one or two passes. Drew
Bennett is a better complement to Mason instead of McCareins
who is very similar to Mason. Justin still has potential
but it is not likely to get much work this season.

75

Kasper, Kevin

ARZ

7

6-0

193

25

2

Minimum

Kasper is a definite player
in the mess that is the Cardinals receivers. A veteran
with only two years and 23 NFL catches, Kasper has as
good a shot as any to be a starter. Update
(08/11/03) -Kasper
was the almost constant target of Jeff Blake in the first
exhibition game and given that the Arizona receivers might
actually need someone with game experience, he could be
used more heavily at least early in the season.

76

Glenn, Terry

DAL

3

5-11

195

28

7

Minimum

Glenn is now reunited
with the Big Tuna, the very same coach that uttered the
infamous "she" seven years ago. If Glenn cannot
make good with Brett Favre as a quarterback on a team
with no veterans, it is optimistic to expect moving to
a poor offense with a bad quarterback will improve his
numbers.

77

Davis, Andre'

CLE

9

6-1

194

24

1

Minimum

In his rookie year, Davis
scored four times in the first three games including a
99 yard effort in Nashville. After all the fantasy waiver
wires lost him, the Browns went back to the other three
receivers and Davis did little the rest of the season.
Still too young and inexperienced, Davis has to wait for
another year before he can challenge for a starting role
on a team that has an usually large number of good potential
receivers already.Raised
79th to 75th (07/28/03) - With Dennis Northcutt unhappy
with his lack of a contract extension, the second year
receiver of Davis absolutely wowed the crowd in training
camp by catching impressive touchdowns from all three
quarterbacks. Davis raises a little in light of his improving
play.

78

Bradford, Corey

HOU

5

6-1

197

27

5

Minimum

Bradford's 45 catches for
697 yards and six scores led the receivers in the Texans'
inaugural season, so there is still plenty of room for
team records to be set this season. Bradford holds the
single season record for 100 yard games with one. It was
an inconsistent year as expected with a new team using
a rookie quarterback. With Andre Johnson on the roster
and Gaffney a year more experienced, Bradford should get
some help this season which will likely keep his numbers
stagnant or lessened.

79

Stokes, J.J.

JAX

7

6-4

225

30

8

Minimum

Now at the age of 30, the
line of people waiting for Stokes to break out has dwindled
to his mother and agent. While owning all the tangibles,
Stokes has never delivered on his potential and many people
point at Bill Walsh's decision to resign Stokes to a four
year contract in 1999 as a sign the game has passed him
by. Stokes will play the #2 role that once meant something
with McCardell but leave that to be the extent of similarities.

80

Edwards, Troy

STL

5

5-10

191

26

18

Minimum

Since Terrence Wilkins never
was able to pick up the offense last year, Edwards stepped
in as the #3 receiver in week nine. He is expected to
stay on but only had 18 catches in his eight games with
two touchdowns. His yards per catch of 8.7 is very low
for a wideout but he did not receive enough passes for
a good measure of his worth.

81

Sanders, Frank

BAL

5

6-2

215

30

8

Minimum

As a member of the Arizona
jail break, Sanders landed in Baltimore where Brandon
Stokley left a spot open. Sanders has seen his numbers
decline for the past five years and there is little reason
to expect merely changing teams was all he needed. He
can provide some possession numbers and score very little
as he perfected in Arizona. He may be challenged for the
starting #2 slot by Marcus Robinson, but the winner will
still likely not be fantasy relevant.

82

Terrell, David

CHI

3

6-3

215

24

2

Minimum

Being the first drafted receiver
is no guarantee of success, at least not in 2001. Terrell
was the hottest receiver in the draft when he left Michigan
but unlike the next picks of Koren Robinson and Rod Gardner,
Terrell has never broken the starting lineup and last
season only contributed nine catches for 127 yards and
three scores. Terrell broke his foot and was placed on
IR in 2002, missing the final eleven games of the season.
Though rarely used, he did catch scores on his lone catch
in the first two games and had a 52 yard completion against
GB in week five. Terrell has been considered an attitude
problem in his first two years and while he was given
ample opportunity in camp and games in his rookie season,
he has been unable to take advantage of the skills and
good size that made him a star in college. He is a big
risk considering his past injury, new QB and the loss
of stature he has on the team but he has potential. Terrell
started last season well and then was injured. However,
GM Jerry Angelo said that the team drafted Justin Gage
(5.08) to challenge Terrell which only further signifies
his standing. David is a decent deep risk pick that could
land big or just finalize the stamp of "bust".

83

Boldin, Anquan

ARZ

7

6-1

215

22

R

Minimum

Selected with the 2.22 pick,
this ex-Seminole comes off a monster year at Florida State
but had missed all of 2001 with a knee injury. He might
not break the starting lineup this season but he is considered
to be a great complement to a speedy receiver, meaning
he is big, with good hands and only average speed.

84

McAddley, Jason

ARZ

7

6-2

204

23

1

Minimum

When all the Arizona receivers
were injured, McAddley stepped up and delivered a big
113 yard game against Seattle in week 10. He never again
rose above 58 yards and will most likely lose out in the
battle of boys that are the Arizona receivers. With nine
games, he is a veteran though and could continue to get
starts.

85

Shaw, Bobby

BUF

9

6-0

183

28

5

Minimum

Shaw's moves from Jacksonville
to Buffalo where he should see use in the slot and multiple
receiver formations. He is one of those receivers that
play bigger than his size and when in Pittsburgh added
a great third down tool for the Steelers. After five years,
he has not proven to be anything more.

86

Mitchell, Freddie

PHI

3

5-11

184

24

2

Minimum

Knowing that the Eagles needed
better receivers, Philly tapped Mitchell in the first
round of 2001 before Reggie Wayne, Quincy Morgan or Chad
Johnson. Oops. Mitchell now has a total of 33 catches
for 388 yards in two years. If he is pacing himself, he
is planning on a very lengthy career. Mitchell enters
into his third season and if he cannot show significant
progress there is little reason to ever expect he will.
Mitchell is a risk and has hinted at no real upside. He
needs to show something this summer or he will drop even
further. The only thing he has going for him is potential
and outside of Michael Westbrook, players cannot make
a career merely out of potential.

87

Stokley, Brandon

IND

7

5-11

197

26

4

Minimum

Stokley trades Chris Redman
for Peyton Manning which should be a good career move
but Stokley will only play as a #3 at best and has never
been durable in his four seasons. Little upside on him
and even if he covers for an injured player, the likelihood
is good he too will eventually get hurt.

88

McKnight, James

MIA

4

6-1

198

31

9

Minimum

After 31 years of age, eight
seasons and three teams, McKnight's average in Miami of
around 600 yards a season and two or three touchdowns
likely represents his upper limit. With Ricky Williams
running and Derrius Thompson and Gadsden around, lower
any expectations you might have had about McKnight.

89

Wilson, Cedric

SF

New (08/04/03) - The
#3 receiver for the 49ers has been very impressive in
camp and is expected to play a larger role in the more
open passing game for San Francisco under Dennis Erickson.
With Owens in the final year of his contract, developing
players like Wilson is even more important since San Francisco
may not be able to bring Owens back next season.

90

Gaffney, Jabar

HOU

5

6-1

193

22

1

Minimum

As a rookie receiver on a
rookie team with a rookie quarterback, the results were
as expected. Gaffney only managed to score once and gained
483 yards on 41 catches as a #2 receiver. This season
he will be challenged for the spot by Andre Johnson and
may lose it by August.

91

Engram, Bobby

SEA

4

5-10

188

30

7

Minimum

With the improved passing
attack in Seattle last season, Engram saw his 2001 numbers
rise from 400 to 619 yards. He still has not scored since
1999. Minor yardage guy with no upside.

92

Washington, Kelley

CIN

6

6-2

218

22

R

Minimum

New (08/06/03) - The
rookie has been very impressive in training camp so far
and already the coaching staff is excited about his prospects.
The Bengals are looking for someone to step up into the
#2 WR across from Chad Johnson and Washington has so far
shown that he is moving in that direction. Washington
brings in a great combination of size, speed and catching
ability that has been lacking from the more diminutive
Peter Warrick who will be playing more slot this season.
Washington was drafted in light of his size and ability
to get beyond jams at the line of scrimmage.

93

Pathon, Jerome

NO

10

6-0

182

27

5

Minimum

Pathon has offered a viable
third outlet for Aaron Brooks, but the 523 yards and four
scores last season are likely his upper limit, especially
as Stallworth develops more.

94

Proehl, Ricky

CAR

3

6-0

190

35

13

Minimum

After 13 seasons, Proehl was
supposed to be playing out his swan song in Carolina this
season by adding a veteran #4 to the mix. With the injury
to Dyson, he may be moved to #3 and continue his string
of 400 yard seasons with a couple of touchdowns.

95

Houshmandzadeh, T.J.

CIN

6

6-1

197

25

2

Minimum

T.J. has spent
his first two seasons with the Bengals looking great in
practice and then failing to deliver on the field. As
the Bengals progressed late last season, they used Houshmandzadeh
less.

96

Hall, Dante

KC

9

5-8

187

24

3

Minimum

Hall is a small kick returner
that can be electrifying when he has the ball. Besides
scoring on two punts and one kick return, Hall added three
receiving touchdowns including the two scores in Denver.
His 75 yard touchdown catch and run deserves to be in
the top ten highlights from last season. Unfortunately
he is too small for an everydown role, but in leagues
that allow punt or kick returns to count for a receiver,
he may be worth a consideration.

97

Oronde Gadsden

MIA

4

6-2

215

32

5

Minimum

Since 1999, Gadsden has declined
in yardage and yards per catch and last season had a wrist
injury that ended his year after week six. He was just
re-signed by Miami as some deep insurance and a minor
cost savings since they still had tape with his name on
it above his old locker. Update - Gadsden has sprained
ligaments in his ankle and will likely miss the entire
training camp. Ranked this low already there is no need
to drop him anyway.

98

Robinson, Marcus

BAL

5

6-3

215

28

6

Minimum

Robinson was a late acquisition
by the Ravens to bolster what is a weak receiving corps.
He has a big name to anyone who has played fantasy football
for at least four years since 1999 saw him gain 1400 yards
and nine touchdowns in only his second season. Robinson
had a back injury in 2000 and was placed on IR. Robinson
had a knee injury in 2001 and was placed on IR. A big
target, Robinson was beset by injuries constantly and
by the time he neared health in 2002 the Bears already
had Booker, White and Terrell in front of him. Robinson
is a longshot to do much due to his durability problems
but was very talented in his one glorious season. Leave
him alone unless surprisingly good news comes out of the
Ravens camp.

99

Calico, Tyrone

TEN

9

6-4

223

22

R

Minimum

Calico is a very big receiver
that wowed coaches at the combine by running a 4.27/40.
That is a size/speed ratio of dreamlike proportions. However,
Calico is considered to be a somewhat sloppy route runner
and he has the occasional drop. He may take time in the
NFL to develop, but at least with Calico the techniques
can be learned. Size and speed do not change. Calico was
impressive in mini-camp.

100

Parker, Eric

SD

6

6-0

172

24

1

Minimum

Rookie year only had 17 catches
but in the off chance he does catch a pass, chances are
good it is pretty far down the field. Parker had catches
in five games but in each he always had an 18 yard or
better reception. He is fast but too small to be much
more than the occasional "caught you not looking"
pass.